Several well-known authors coming to town for Essence Festival

In addition to checking out the music at the "party with a purpose," meet some of your favorite authors at the Essence Festival, signing books after their seminars. Many Festival authors will also make appearances over the weekend at Community Book Center.

Here's a look at authors signing in at the Convention Center :

Susan Poag / The Times-PicayuneOn Friday, July 4, from 3:30-4:30 p.m., Tom Joyner will sigh his book "I'm Just a Dee Jay --But It Makes Sense to Me" at the Convention Center.

Chris Granger / The Times-PicayuneFrom 2:15-3:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, Bill Cosby and Alvin Poussaint will sign "Come On People " at the Convention Center.

3-5 p.m. Kimberla Lawson Roby ("One In A Million," "Sin No More"), Bruce Williams ("Rollin' With Dre: An Insider's Tale of the Rise, Fall and Rebirth of West Coast Hip-Hop"), Cassandra L. Joubert and Dr. Janice Hutchinson ("Losing Control: Loving A Black Child with Bipolar Disorder"), Terrence Dean "Hiding in Hip-Hop: On the Down Low in the Entertainment World-From Music to Hollywood")